Pros & cons of rural solar: 3 meetings planned in Manchester area

by Sara Swanson

Washtenaw County Conservation District (WCCD) is holding three informational meetings in the Manchester area through March focused on rural solar. As we’ve reported, they’ve previously held presentations throughout our area on land assessment, management, and preservation. At these presentations, questions came up about solar that presenters were not equipped to answer. With the aim of addressing those questions, WCCD is now holding an informational presentation on rural solar called Rural Solar — The Good, the Bad, and the Trade-offs.

Are you interested in leasing your land to a solar developer? Concerned your neighbor might? Interested in diversifying your revenue stream, but worried about farmland turning into solar fields? Come to the presentation to learn the pros, cons, and misconceptions — good and bad — about rural solar. They’ll also discuss other options for land preservation and have ample time to address your questions.

The first option for attending will be Wednesday, February 21, 2024, from 7pm to 8:30pm, in Manchester Township Hall, located at 275 S Macomb St. The second will be Monday, March 18, 2024, from 7pm to 8:30pm, in Freedom Township Hall, located at 11508 E Pleasant Lake Rd. And the third will be Thursday, March 21, 2024, from 6:30pm to 8pm in Bridgewater Township Hall, located at 10990 Clinton Rd, Manchester. 

If you plan to attend one of the three meetings, organizers encourage RSVPs so they can have the correct number of chairs and handouts, as well as the ability to alert you if the event is cancelled or postponed (e.g., due to inclement weather or presenter illness). RSVP at  https://fs12.formsite.com/ojmrgh/slcantxwna/index (this link can also be reached from WCCD’s homepage at https://www.washtenawcd.org/).

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.